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NORRIDGEWOCK — The town’s wastewater system will get a needed upgrade, thanks to a $5 million financing package from the United State Department of Agriculture Rural Development program.
Announcement of the package, which includes a $2.2 million grant and $2.8 million in loans, was made to members of the community gathered at Mill Stream Elementary School on April 22, Earth Day.
The funding will allow the town to complete necessary upgrades on the plant, which went online in 1993, said Town Manager Richard LaBelle in a news release. The upgrade will include technological and infrastructure upgrades at the main facility on Willow Street, as well as at all three pump stations in town. The upgrades are being coordinated and overseen by engineering firm Olver Associates, of Winterport.
Public hearings and special town meeting must be held before the support from the USDA can be accepted, LaBelle said. The Board of Selectmen and Sewer Commission “are working collaboratively to ensure that the project can move forward with the support of the community,” he said. Public information sessions and hearings will be held in the coming weeks to educate the public about the proposed project and funding.
The April 22 celebration included children from Quimby’s Child Care Center, as well as students from Mill Stream Elementary School, who created artwork about the Kennebec River for the event. New Balance donated prizes for the top artwork. Also present were representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine; U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine; U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-2nd District. The Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance also shared their model of the watershed with those in attendance.
At the conclusion of the event, members of the community gathered at the entrance to the school for photographs with the Earth Day Pledge banner. The banner was signed by all in attendance to demonstrate their support of a cleaner, healthier environment.
